QP/GT front subframes - the truth

Sam McGoo

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,205
On a side note, since having my car done a couple of weeks ago I've noticed that the road noise has reduced quite significantly. An added bonus, I wasn't expecting. I suppose it makes sense now all those panels have a soft coating on them.
 
C

Captain Boogaloo

Junior Member
Messages
46
Hello Everyone, my first time/post here as I'm off to look at a 2009 Granturismo later today; I will be looking very carefully at the subframe, but can anyone recommend a maserati specialist I could use to do an inspection of the car ( god, I hope it's ok; I've been after one for ages, and they are not around for long once advertised!!) The vehicle/object of desire is in Guildford, by the way. All help most gratefully received, thanks in advance.
Captain Boogaloo
 
Sam McGoo

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,205
Captain Boogaloo said:
Hello Everyone, my first time/post here as I'm off to look at a 2009 Granturismo later today; I will be looking very carefully at the subframe, but can anyone recommend a maserati specialist I could use to do an inspection of the car ( god, I hope it's ok; I've been after one for ages, and they are not around for long once advertised!!) The vehicle/object of desire is in Guildford, by the way. All help most gratefully received, thanks in advance.
Captain Boogaloo
Click to expand...
Sportsitalia Southampton if the dealer/seller will let you take it there.
Or Dale at Prestige Autoworks is mobile and will go to the car.
 
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Captain Boogaloo

Junior Member
Messages
46
Hello Sam, thanks very much for your speedy reply; I've left Dale a message; let's see what happens ( oooh, trying NOT to be too excited!!)
Captain Boogaloo
 
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Captain Boogaloo

Junior Member
Messages
46
Quick update; saw the Granturismo today - it did not disappoint!! My 2ic has given her seal of approval and Dale is inspecting her tomorrow. Fingers extremely crossed he finds nothing really wrong ( Dale is a pleasure to talk to, very knowledgeable chap) - getting rather excited at the prospect of ownership ( just as fuel prices reach new heights - good know my usual sense of timing is still spot on....!).
Thanks again for the help and advice
Captain Boogaloo
 
C

Captain Boogaloo

Junior Member
Messages
46
Sorry, not this time. I already have five cars to rebuild/restore (six, if you count my Daytona). I have the t shirt, welding scars and metal splinters in the eyes of experience. The only feathers will be in the pampered bed this Granturismo lies upon, when it's not being driven like I stole it. Or like Miss Daisy when the family is onboard!
Cheerio, Captain Boogaloo
 
Jamin

Jamin

Member
Messages
79
So Captain Boogaloo, how did you get on?

Can we officially welcome you?

Just a reminder though, despite the Gods branding we can't rely on Neptune to protect us from salt water


92542
 
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Captain Boogaloo

Junior Member
Messages
46
Hello Jamin,
Well.....it's a sort of good news/ bad news thing. The inspection showed the front subframe has only surface corrosion (yaay!), But the front suspension bushes are shot (boo!) and are a (worst case ) £2000 job, expansion tank has the beginnings of the proverbial crack and one cam cover has a weep (£450), the chassis plates (the £20 ones) need derusting or changing and the headlining is coming unglued in several places ( how in zeus' butthole did I miss THAT!??). Overall though the Granturismo got a very good thumbs up school report, so now I just have to have a little.....chat with the seller.
Fingers crossed......!
So, I'm here and on the Forum as if I don't buy this Granturismo, it will be another one: I've decided I, er I mean We need one of these Pinifarina masterpieces in our lives before HM Gov decree we all drive a Duracell. God, I never thought this would happen in my lifetime. Gives me the blues every time I think about it. So, I don't!
Cheerio
Captain Boogaloo
 
Scaf

Scaf

Member
Messages
4,229
Well at least you know where you stand and can negotiate accordingly or walk away. The price for front bushes seems but you can easily check, the headlining has come up on another thread and does not sound like and easy fix.
Good luck
 
M

Mr Spoon

Member
Messages
407
Captain Boogaloo said:
Hello Jamin,
Well.....it's a sort of good news/ bad news thing. The inspection showed the front subframe has only surface corrosion (yaay!), But the front suspension bushes are shot (boo!) and are a (worst case ) £2000 job, expansion tank has the beginnings of the proverbial crack and one cam cover has a weep (£450), the chassis plates (the £20 ones) need derusting or changing and the headlining is coming unglued in several places ( how in zeus' butthole did I miss THAT!??). Overall though the Granturismo got a very good thumbs up school report, so now I just have to have a little.....chat with the seller.
Fingers crossed......!
So, I'm here and on the Forum as if I don't buy this Granturismo, it will be another one: I've decided I, er I mean We need one of these Pinifarina masterpieces in our lives before HM Gov decree we all drive a Duracell. God, I never thought this would happen in my lifetime. Gives me the blues every time I think about it. So, I don't!
Cheerio
Captain Boogaloo
Click to expand...

Cam cover has a weep - so leave it be. Its £450 you don't need to spend at this stage. Wait for a job where it can be done, or do it yourself.

Expansion tank, well it hasn't actually got a crack so nothing to worry about.

Bushes are shot, who says? The guy trying to sell you more labour and parts or is it an MOT failure?

Headlining, yes I have a little bit of that too, I suspect lots of GT's will, nothing a bit of gaffer tape won't fix.

:D
 
Zep

Zep

Moderator
Messages
7,053
Captain Boogaloo said:
Hello Jamin,
Well.....it's a sort of good news/ bad news thing. The inspection showed the front subframe has only surface corrosion (yaay!), But the front suspension bushes are shot (boo!) and are a (worst case ) £2000 job, expansion tank has the beginnings of the proverbial crack and one cam cover has a weep (£450), the chassis plates (the £20 ones) need derusting or changing and the headlining is coming unglued in several places ( how in zeus' butthole did I miss THAT!??). Overall though the Granturismo got a very good thumbs up school report, so now I just have to have a little.....chat with the seller.
Fingers crossed......!
So, I'm here and on the Forum as if I don't buy this Granturismo, it will be another one: I've decided I, er I mean We need one of these Pinifarina masterpieces in our lives before HM Gov decree we all drive a Duracell. God, I never thought this would happen in my lifetime. Gives me the blues every time I think about it. So, I don't!
Cheerio
Captain Boogaloo
Click to expand...
Good news on the subframe. Can cover gaskets are pretty standard, you’ll have to do them at some point on any car.

Bushes are standard too, the upper fronts are the usual culprits, lowers less so. £2k is it’s all of them, but less if just the uppers which is fairly likely.

Coolant bottle is cheap and so not a biggie for the peace of mind.

Headlining is a pain to sort, I guess it depends how bad and how happy you are with it.

Hopefully armed with what you have found you will be able to do the deal, or as you say, on to the next.
 
C

Captain Boogaloo

Junior Member
Messages
46
Thanks for the replies, Chaps; Dale's inspection report is pretty through and I believe his reputation as one of the good guys is widely held - his quote for the headlining is very reasonable, the coolant expansion tank is ( as you've said) not too expensive and the cam cover leak is marginal ( certainly not panic stations), but the suspension bushes need doing; they are now ( and I quote) metal on metal, and will greatly accelerate front tyre ware, and won't help the geometry/ handling, either. It would not surprise me if a mechanic somewhere tightened up things at the wrong time (i.e. before the suspension was under load) and the rubber parts were lunched in short order. The mot ticket is good until August next year, but I wouldn't dream of driving the car any distance until that issue is sorted. That's not how I treat my cars, it's (literally!) How I Roll.
Anyway, I've sent the report to the Seller and we'll talk tomorrow: I hope we can arrive at a mutually agreeable solution. I shall report back presently.
Cheerio
Captain Boogaloo
 
Bebs

Bebs

Member
Messages
1,209
Very similar issues to when I bought mine, and all known culprits. I also used the PPI to negotiate a hefty reduction from the private seller. Out of interest what was the fix and the quotation to repair the headlining?
 
M

Mr Spoon

Member
Messages
407
Bebs said:
Very similar issues to when I bought mine, and all known culprits. I also used the PPI to negotiate a hefty reduction from the private seller. Out of interest what was the fix and the quotation to repair the headlining?
Click to expand...
I was thinking the same, but realised if it wasn't in the post to begin with, there is no intent or want to share.

Similar to a phone call as follows: "I'd like to see you as I have something I want to chat to you about"..... urm your on the phone, ask me now....
 
Zep

Zep

Moderator
Messages
7,053
I can understand it. This is the internet, the dealer might read it. Maybe he hasn’t got it yet. Maybe he doesn’t want to share. It’s his choice.
 
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